Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. helped pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act of 2021 today to protect voting rights and improve voting access for all Americans.

The bill (H.R. 5746) would establish a national standard for voting, end partisan gerrymandering of Congressional districts, make Election Day a national holiday, and protect popular voting practices, such as same-day voter registration and early voting options.  It includes the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which requires states with a history of federal voting law violations to get permission from the federal government before they can change their local voting laws.  Specifically, it would stop states from passing laws to target and limit the voting rights of American minorities, such as African Americans.  It passed the U.S. House of Representatives last August.

“We need this bill to become law before millions of Americans lose the right to vote,” said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.  “The 2020 election had the highest voter turnout of any election in 120 years.  Almost 70 percent of eligible voters cast a vote last year.  Yet, states are putting restrictions on voting for Americans, particular African Americans and other minorities.  Voting rights was one of the top priorities for Congressman John Lewis and this bill would restore faith and trust in our democracy.  The right to vote must be protected because it is the most sacred and fundamental right we enjoy as Americans.  I hope the Senate will pass it and make it federal law because we need to increase participation in our democracy, not decrease it.

“This bill is critical right now because 18 states have passed 30 new laws to restrict voting access in their communities.  These new laws limit early voting, absentee voting, put restrictions on access to ballot drop boxes, and even punish people who provide water for Americans waiting to vote.  Voting experts have said these measures would make it much more difficult for minorities and low-income Americans to vote in the future.  In addition, the bill would restore voting protections from the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that were removed in the 2013 Supreme Court decision Shelby County v. Holder.  In that case, the high court said a provision of the Act failed to fit modern American voting demographics and districts.”